October 31, 2010

Northanger Abbey

By: Jane Austen

Apparently I have attempted to read this book before. Whether I finished it, I have no clue because I don't remember ever reading it. Go figure. However, this time I didn't finish it. I got more than half way through before throwing in the towel. I couldn't take the slow moving plot or the annoying cast of secondary characters any longer.

I wanted to like this book, but couldn't. The story is about Catherine falling for Henry Tilney and going to his house where things are odd. Half way through the book there was no sign of the house visit in sight. Catherine's friend, Isabella, was an annoying twit. Isabella's brother, John, was an arrogant and manipulative jerk. Even Catherine's love interest, Henry, drove me nuts. The only character I did like was Catherine.

For those who have read Northanger Abbey and liked it, I am glad you did. Sadly, I am not among those who did.

October 25, 2010

Lillian owns her own restaurant and one Monday a month holds a cooking class in it, The School of Essential Ingredients. Meet her students for this session and get a glimpse into their lives.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's not a page turner in the usual sense, but I couldn't wait to pick it back up whenever I had to put it down. Each chapter is devoted to a student, and a brief glimpse into their lives. Some of their stories are heart warming, touching, and heartbreaking. Others were less interesting. But throughout each chapter the class is making something and I couldn't help but wish I was picking everything up through osmosis, or something.

I always love reading books that having cooking or baking as a central character. I live vicariously through the story and, for the time I am reading the book, feel like I'm a better cook than before I started. The main character, Lillian, is supposed to be in her 30s, but my mind refused that. The way I interpreted her was in her 50s or 60s. She had that motherly knowledge of who needed what and when that comes with age.

This book would be a perfect read for a rainy day or a long car trip. I can see myself re-reading this book again in the future.

October 22, 2010

Sleeping Arrangements

By: Madeleine Wickham

295 Pages

Summary:"... a delightful story of British families forced to spend their vacation together after a mutual friend promises them the same week in his Spanish villa. Chloe Harding hopes that a holiday will soothe the strain between her and longtime partner Philip Murray, who is worried that a recent takeover of his company may cost him his job. Their hopes are dashed when they arrive and find another family already settled at the villa. To Chloe's disappointment, she'll be sharing the space with Hugh Stratton, the beau who broke her heart 15 years ago. Now married to high-maintenance Amanda and with two children, Hugh apologizes, and though Chloe initially expresses nothing but hurt and disdain (all the while keeping their past a secret from Philip), she eventually considers beginning life anew with Hugh. Wickham does a bangup job of creating believable characters-even Amanda is less vapid than she at first seems. Surprises abound as the plot unfolds, and the families begin to wonder whether their mutual friend made an innocent mistake in getting them together." --bn.com

You won't laugh while reading this book. You won't cry while reading this book. You won't be missing much if you don't read this book. But, if you're looking for a simple, breezy storyline, this may be a book to consider.

For the most part, the storyline is predictable. Two of the people have a romantic history that has haunted them ever since. Of course, they sleep together. Another two people both work for companies involved in a takeover. One is higher up than the other. Of course, that comes with it's own issues and they get addressed.

There aren't any standout scenes. The only standout character was the Nanny because she was a free spirit and so different from the other main characters. The amount of times one or more characters got drunk got a little annoying only because I thought other directions could have been taken with the story and the characters.

I'm glad I read Sleeping Arrangements. I have tried to read a couple of this author's other titles, but have never gotten very far. Odd, since this author is the pen name for Sophie Kinsella and I love her books.

October 17, 2010

The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow

By: Washington Irving

Before I even started this book I had a feeling I was going to like it and I was right!

My brother-in-law described this story to me as the classic jock vs nerd fighting for the affections of the same woman. I kind of agree with that, since that is part of the story. Though I think it's more a tale of using one's fears against him.

Sleepy Hollow is a little town in New York. Among it's residents are: Ichabod, the town teacher; Brom, the town jerk; Katrina, the woman both men want to marry; and various spirits. You have the Galloping Hessain and The Headless Horseman being the most notable two. When Brom notices Ichabod's feelings for Katrina, he decides to play tricks on the teacher. His last trick is the meanest of all. Playing on Ichabod's fears of the ghost stories told of what happens in the town at night, Brom dresses up as the Headless Horseman and proceeds to chase Ichabod. The next morning, the only thing left to find of Ichabod is his hat.

A fun little story that I could see myself reading every year around Halloween. However, I will always be frustrated that Brom won the woman's heart in the end when he deserved a big kick in the ass instead. However, knowing that Ichabod finds success in another town is a small consolation.

October 16, 2010

Frankenstein

By: Mary Shelley

Frankenstein was one of those books you knew of long before you ever read it- if you chose to. It has it's own following. It plays a big part of pop culture today- especially come Halloween time. And it has been my experience through hearing other peoples' thoughts on it that you will either love it or hate it. I, however, fall into neither of those categories. I did not love the book, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I hated it since I did finish it. I can say this: I didn't like it very much. I will probably never read it again, and couldn't wait for it to be done.

Victor Frankenstein is a lover of science- mainly Natural Science. His desire to make a name for himself in this field leads him to build a living, breathing creature. Once his creation is complete and comes to life the reality of it scares Frankenstein enough to flee his apartment. When he finally returns, the creation is nowhere to be found. (Eventually you read the creation's story on how he passes this time. When the two do come face to face again the creation asks Frankenstein to make him a companion. He agrees, but destroys his work half way through. The failure to live up to his end of the agreement send the creation into a murderous revenge. He proceeds to kill everyone Frankenstein loves.From that point on the two become locked in a bitter battle.

I'm not a fan of overly descriptive and wordy authors. Mary Shelley is such a writer. I found she spent too much time describing things that held no real bearing with the actual story. She got me lost more than once while setting the scene. I have to say that it got to the point where it took away from the book's plot for me. She did have me feeling sorry for the creation. Through no choice of his own he was made and forced to spend his life wishing for loving human contact and never getting any.

For those who enjoyed this book, I am glad you did. I am glad that I read it. It's not the kind of book I normally would. I'm always happy to put myths to rest and am able to do so with one myth: Frankenstein is NOT the creation, but the creator.

October 10, 2010

LegacyBy: Danielle Steel326 PagesSummary:Dumped by her boyfriend of 6 years. Laid off by the job she had for 10 years; Brigitte Nicholson had the week from hell. What was she to do now? Get lost in her family history while doing a favor for her Mother? Once Brigitte discovers the Indian relative, Wachiwi, that's exactly what she does. Who was she? What was she like? And how did she come to meet, marry a French Marquis and be presented to the King and Queen? Brigitte doesn't know, but she decides to find out. Legacy was leaps and bounds better than Danielle's last book Family Ties. I got so engrossed with the Wachiwi storyline and her life story! I've always said that Danielle does historical fiction well, and this storyline was a prime example. The details she used made me forget that I knew nothing about Indian life from 100s of years ago. I loved reading how Wachiwi goes from her Indian life to France. It was truly a great story. My only complaint with it was that it seemed to end abruptly. You never get her complete story. You don't know how she died, only that she died a few months apart from her husband's. I wish you got her whole life's story.Brigitte's storyline was good for the most part. She's the girl who never had ambitious goals and it cost her in the end. She spent 7 years devoted to a book about the history of Women's right to vote only to abandon it. I was able to relate to her in these respects since I'm not an overly ambitious person myself and have spent years on a project near and dear to me that may never get completed. Towards the end of the book I got a little bored with Brigitte and, but I was routing for her to take the leap of faith she never took before. I'm glad I read Legacy. It was so fun! This book was a great escape into a world I knew nothing about. Rating: Borrow From Library

October 3, 2010

Mini ShopaholicBy: Sophie Kinsella419 Pages

Summary:Becky's back with a whole new set of adventures. There's her 2 year old daughter who has a habit of throwing fits in a dramatic fashion. She's decided to throw her husband a surprise birthday party but, somehow the Internet and the press get involved. And there is the endless attempt at buying a house. Will #5 be the lucky one?

I've been a fan of the Confessions of A Shopaholic series since it's debut. You can't help but giggle at Becky and the way she can rationalize her actions. One thing is for sure, whenever you read this series, you are guaranteed a smile through out the books.

That having been said, let's focus on Mini Shopaholic. Overall, I enjoyed it. I think my only complaint was that the book seemed to be mis-titled. The biggest storyline wasn't dealing with her daughter, but planning her husband's surprise party. But, if that's the biggest issue I could find with the book, I think we're ok.

The book had a handful of scenes that out a smile on my face. I couldn't help chuckle when Becky's daughter, Minnie, manages to get thrown out of yet another Santa's Grotto. In total that's 4 Minnie and her family has been banned from. It's not every day a 2 year old turns the reindeer into a climbing invitation. Of course, a scene ensues.

Getting Minnie baptised wasn't without it's hiccups either. Call it really bad timing when the Bank of London financially collapses while the ceremony is waiting to begin. The guests get wind of it through the Internet on their phones and hysteria breaks out. Everyone races out of the church in the hopes of securing their money before it's gone for good. Everyone-- including the Priest himself. He does go to Becky's house later that day to apologize and make an impromptu baptism.

I'm saving some of the other giggly scenes for you to discover. The book was definitely worth a read. Loyal fans of the series will enjoy visiting Becky and her crazy life. The way the book ends made me think there is another Shopaholic book possibility.

Here's a few books I aim to read this month. I don't know how many of them I'll actually get to read, but I'm gonna try.

LegacyBy: Danielle Steel

One of my favorite authors. However, her books have been hit or miss the last few years. We'll see if this one is a hit, or if it'll miss like her last release was.

Sleeping ArrangementsBy: Madeleine Wickham

I'm yet to finish a single book by this author. This is the pen name used by Sophie Kinsella, the author of the Confessions of a Shopaholic series, so I don't quite understand why I struggle. I LOVE Sophie Kinsella, so it's odd.

Anyway, Im giving this pen name another try. We'll see if I have any success this time around.

The Romance Readers' Book ClubBy: Julie L. Cannon

I was sold on this book once I read the description of it. I hope it's as good as it sounds like it may be. I've never read a book where a 15 year old was the main character and the story is of how this genre speaks to her and her friends. Mix together 3 teens and an "eccentric" Aunt, and you could have the making of a good read. I intend to find this out.

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